Tool for cleaning and raking shag type rugs

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed in this application a tool for cleaning shagtype rugs comprising a nozzle having an exhaust opening adapated to be attached to a vacuum motor and a face portion adapted to contact rhe rug. Formed on the face portion are a plurality of air inlet openings which communicate with the exhaust opening and a plurality of closed tines so that the rug may be concurrently cleaned and raked. Also formed on the face portion are a plurality of open tines which do not project as far as the closed tines and which communicate with the exhaust opening to enhance the cleaning ability of the nozzle.

United States Patent [191 Fitzwater [451 July17, 1973 [75] Inventor: Edwin Fitzwater, Rahway, NJ.

[73] Assignee: General Signal Corporation,

Rochester, N.Y.

22 Filed: Sept. 3, 1971 211 Appl.No.: 177,724

[52] US. Cl. 15/397, 15/402 [51] Int. Cl A471 9/06 [58] Field of Search 15/393, 396, 397, 15/402 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1 3,066,683 12/1962 Pace 15/397 X 3,611,473 10/1971 Johnson 15/402 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 690,162 6/1930 France 15/397 Primary Examiner-Wayne A. Morse, Jr. Assistant ExaminerC. K. Moore AttorneyHarold S. Wynn et al.

[57 1 ABSTRACT There is disclosed in this application a tool for cleaning shag-type rugs comprising a nozzle having an exhaust opening adapated to be attached to a vacuum motor and a face portion adapted to contact rhe rug. Formed on the face portion are a plurality of air inlet openings which communicate with the exhaust opening and a plurality of closed tines so that the rug may be concurrently cleaned and raked. Also formed on the face portion are a plurality of open tines which do not project as far as the closed tines and which communicate with the exhaust opening to enhance the cleaning ability of 0223,173 3 1972 Howard et a1... 15/397 x the nozzlg 963,049 7/1910 Kenney 15/397 X 841,175 l/l907 Phinney 15/397 9 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures I l0 l2 MI 28 O 32 '0 1g PATENIED JUL 1' 1 ma sum 1 or 2 TOOL FOR CLEANING AND RAKING SIIAG TYPE RUGS The cleaning of shag-type rugs, that is, rugs having a relatively long nap, presents a peculiar problem because of the length of the nap and its tendency to flatten or bend toward the backing. For appearance sake, however, the nap of the rug should be generally upright and therefore, the cleaning process should include some technique for combing or raking the nap into its upright position. One cleaning process currently used involves the use of a conventional nozzle for cleaning the rug and, thereafter, the use of a rake-like member for raking the nap into an upright position. Obviously, this process is time consuming since it requires that two separate operations be performed.

Another process presently used for cleaning shagtype rugs involves the use of a single nozzle including an exhaust opening adapted to be connected to a vacuum motor and a rug contacting face portion formed with a plurality of air inlet openings that communicate with the exhaust opening and a plurality of relatively short raking fingers having air inlet passages that also communicate with the exhaust opening. However, when using this type of nozzle, the fingers rest on the backing of the rug casing the air inlet passages to close which, in turn, stops the flow of air through the passages. Accordingly, this tool provides only a limited degree of cleaning.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide a tool that concurrently and effectively cleans and rakes a shag-type rug.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a tool for cleaning shag-type rugs that is simple, inexpensive and easy to use.

These and other objects of this invention are accomplished by providing a nozzle having an exhaust opening adapted to be connected to a vacuum motor and a face portion adapted to contact a rug. The face portion has a plurality of closed tines formed thereon for raking the rug and further includes a plurality of air inlet openings that communicate with the exhaust opening. Thus, during cleaning operation, a shag-type rug is concurrently cleaned and raked. Open tines are also provided on the face portion of the nozzle and these tines project from the face portion a lesser extent than the closed tines. Each open tine also communicates with the exhaust opening to enhance the cleaning ability of the nozzle.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be made to the following description of a preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view illustrating a vaccum cnozzle in accordance with this invention with portions thereof broken away for the sakeof clarity;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the vacuum cleaning nozzle illustrated in FIG. 1 with portions broken away for the sake of clarity;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the vacuum cleaning nozzle illustrated in FIG. 1; and,

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 44 of FIG. 1.

Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of a nozzle in accordance with this invention. Nozzle 10 includes an upper housing portion 12 having an exhaust opening 14 and a lower housing portion 16 formed with air inlet openings 18 which communicate with the exhaust opening to form an air passage through the nozzle. Lower housing portion 16 is formed with closed tines 22 and open tines 24 which also communicate with exhaust opening 14.

Upper housing portion 12 comprises a generally rectangular member having a face portion 26 and a first pair of generally parallel side walls 28 and a second pair of generally parallel side walls 30 which are shorter than and transverse to side walls 28. A rib 32 projects outwardly around walls 28 and 30 and serves to locate upper housing portion 12 with respect to lower housing portion 16.

As noted previously, upper housing portion 12 is formed with an exhaust opening 14 which as is generally conventional in the art comprises a generally cylindrical member 34 integral with ancentrally located along the length of the housing and projecting toward the rear. The free-end of cylindrical member 34 is adapted to be connected to a conduit 20 by any conventional arrangement which is not shown since it forms no part of the invention. The other or interior end of cylindrical member 34 communicates with the interior of upper housing portion 12. As is also generally conventional in the art, the outer face of cylindrical member 34 adjacent face portion 26 is shaped to accommodate a decorative bezel 36 in a conventional manner. The attachment of the bezel to the housing will not be described since it also forms no part of this invention.

Extending downwardly from the underside of the upper faceportion 26 and parallel to elongated side walls 28, there are a pair of interior elongated walls 38 which define the upper portion of a channel which will be more fully explained hereinafter. Walls 38 slope upwardly from the bottom edge of side walls 30 and extend along a straight line in the vicinity of cylindrical member 34. As best seen in FIG. 4, the interior end of cylindrical member 34 opens in the rearward most wall 38 so that exhaust opening 14 communicates with the interior of the channel. As also best seen in FIG. 4, internally threaded bosses 40 extend downwardly from face portion 18 and the lower edge of walls 38 are formed with a rib and shoulder configuration 39.

Lower housing portion 16 comprises a face portion 42 formed with a first pair of generally parallel side walls 44 and a second pair of generally parallel side walls 46 which are shorter than and transverse to side walls 44. The upper edge of side walls 44 and 46 are formed with a shoulder 48 which cooperates with rib 32 on side walls 28 and 30 to form a seal between upper housing portion 12 and lower housing portion 16. Intermediate side walls 44, there are a pair of interior walls 50 thatcooperate with walls 38 to define a channel for j the passage of air from air inlet openings 18 and open titles 24 to exhaust opening 14. The upper edge of walls 50 are formed with a rib and shoulder configuration 51 that is complementary to rib and shoulder configuration 39 formed on walls 38 so that the air channel is also sealed. It should be noted, however, tha while the provision of a channel is preferable it is not necessary and the interior of the nozzle could be hollow and free of obstructions.

As best seen in FIG. 4, internally threaded bosses 52 project upwardly and mate with bosses 40 formed on upper housing portion 12. Suitable fasteners 58 cooperate with the threads in bosses 40 and 52 to secure the upper and lower housing portions together.

As noted previously, closed tines 22 and open tines 24 are formed on lower housing 16. Closed tines 22 project downwardly from face portion 42 and are arranged in two rows, each row being adjacent an elongated edge of the face portion. Each closed tine 22 is of a generally frusto-conical shape when viewed along a line transverse to their longitudinal axis for purposes that will be explained hereinafter. Open tines 24 also project downwardly from face portion 42, but for a slightly lesser distance than closed tines 22. Open tines 24 are arranged in a row that extends along a line generally parallel to the elongated edge of the face portion and which is generally centrally located between interior walls 50.

By referring to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the open tines are offset with respect to the closed tine in one row and its adjacent closed tine in the other row. It can also be seen that open tines 24 are frusto-conical when viewed along a line transverse to their longitudinal axis and include a central passage 54 that is open at the free end of the tines and communicates with the channel formed by walls 38 and 50.

Also formed in face portion 42 are the air inlet openings 18 which are located along a line centrally located between walls 50 so that they also communicate with the interior of the channel formed by these walls and walls 38. Air inlet openings 18 are generally aligned between adjacent closed tines in each row and may be in the form of apertures formed in face portion 42. Preferably, however, air inlet openings 18 extend throughout the length of relatively short cylindrical sleeves 56 that project from face portion 42. The length of sleeves 56 is such that the free end of openings 18 is located at the top of the nap of the rug.

In use, conduit 20 is connected to cylindrical member 34 and the other end of the conduit is connected to a suitable dust bag and vacuum motor. When the vacuum motor is actuated, and face 42 of nozzle 10 is moved across a shag rug, the rug is raked by closed tines 22 and open tines 24 and is also cleaned by the air which is drawn through the open tines and air inlet openings 18. Because of the frusto-conical shape of tines 22 and 24, they are small enough to unmat the nap adjacent to the backing and strong enough adjacent face poru'on 42 to resist breaking.

It should be noted, that the cleaning action of the nozzle is actually threefold. First, closed tines 22, in addition to raking tha nap, beat dust and dirt from the backing of the rug which is caught in the air stream created by the vacuum motor and which is carried through the nozzle to the dust bag. In addition, since open tines 24 do not extend as closed tines 22, they will always be spaced from the backing of the rug so that air can be drawn through passages 54 picking up dirt from the nap adjacent to the backing. Further, air inlet openings 18 formed in face portion 42 pick up dirt from adjacent the top of the long nap of the rug. Thus, it should be clear that when using a tool in accordance with this invention, shag rugs are simultaneously cleaned and raked. Moreover, it should be clear that an improved cleaning action is provided for the rug. Finally, it should be noted that a tool in accordance with this invention may also be utilized after the rug is first cleaned by a conventional tool which provides for an even more thorough cleaning of the rug.

While in the foregoing there has been described a preferred embodiment of the invention, various modifications may become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates. Accordingly, all such modifications are included within the intended scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A tool for cleaning shag type rugs comprising in combination:

a. a generally elongated hollow housing member having a face portion and an exhaust opening adapted to be connected to a vacuum motor;

b. said face portion including a plurality of air inlet means formed thereon and in communication with said exhaust opening;

c. said face portion further including a first plurality of closed tines projecting therefrom in first and second rows adjacent first and second elongated edges of said face portion, respectively;

d. said face portion further including a second plurality of tines projecting therefrom which are centrally located in an array between said first and second rows of said first tines and which have longitudinal openings therethrough; and wherein said second plurality of tines project a lesser distance from said face portion than said first plurality of tines and wherein said longitudinal openings in said second plurality of tines are in communication with said exhaust opening.

2. A tool in accordance with claim 1 wherein said air inlet means comprises a plurality of openings in said face portion, one opening being located between adjacent hollow tines.

3. A tool in accordance with claim 2 wherein said openings are formed in sleeves formed on said face portion.

4. A tool for cleaning shag type rugs and comprising in combination:

a. a generally elongated housing member having a face portion and an exhaust opening adapted to be connected to a vacuum motor;

b. a first plurality of tines extending from said face portion and having a first length and disposed near the perimeter of said housing member;

0. a second plurality of tines extending from said face portion and having a second length which is less than said first length; and

d. a third plurality of tines extending from said face portion and having a third length which is less than said second length; and wherein c. said second and third plurality of tines have longitudinal bores therethrough with one end of each bore at the end of its respective tine remote from said face portion and with the other end of each bore communicating with said exhaust opening.

5. The combination as set forth in claim 4 wherein said second and third plurality of tines are more remote from the perimeter of said housing member than the tines of said first plurality.

6. The combination as set forth in claim 5 wherein said second and third plurality of tines are arranged in a row with alternate ones of said tines belonging to said second plurality of tines and the intermediate tines belonging to said third plurality of tines.

7. A tool for cleaning shag type rugs and comprising in combination:

a. a generally elongated housing member having a face portion and an exhaust opening adapted to be connected to a vacuum motor;

b. a first plurality of tines having a first length and extending from said face portion near the perimeter of said face portion and parallel to each other;

c. a second plurality of tines having a second length which is less than said first length and extending from a central portion of said face portion and which are parallel to each other; and

d. a third plurality of tines having a third length which is less than said second length and which extend from a central portion of said face portion and which are parallel to each other; and wherein c. said second and third plurality of tines have longitudinal bores therethrough with one end of each bore at the end of its respective tine and with the other end of each bore communicating with said exhaust opening.

8. The combination as set forth in claim 7 wherein said second and third plurality of tines are arranged in a row with alternate tines being ones of said second plurality of tines and with the intermediate tines being ones of said third plurality of tines.

9. The combination as set forth in claim 7 wherein the sum of the tines of said second and third pluralities is approximately equal to the number of tines of said first plurality. 

1. A tool for cleaning shag type rugs comprising in combination: a. a generally elongated hollow housing member having a face portion and an exhaust opening adapted to be connected to a vacuum motor; b. said face portion including a pluralitY of air inlet means formed thereon and in communication with said exhaust opening; c. said face portion further including a first plurality of closed tines projecting therefrom in first and second rows adjacent first and second elongated edges of said face portion, respectively; d. said face portion further including a second plurality of tines projecting therefrom which are centrally located in an array between said first and second rows of said first tines and which have longitudinal openings therethrough; and wherein e. said second plurality of tines project a lesser distance from said face portion than said first plurality of tines and wherein said longitudinal openings in said second plurality of tines are in communication with said exhaust opening.
 2. A tool in accordance with claim 1 wherein said air inlet means comprises a plurality of openings in said face portion, one opening being located between adjacent hollow tines.
 3. A tool in accordance with claim 2 wherein said openings are formed in sleeves formed on said face portion.
 4. A tool for cleaning shag type rugs and comprising in combination: a. a generally elongated housing member having a face portion and an exhaust opening adapted to be connected to a vacuum motor; b. a first plurality of tines extending from said face portion and having a first length and disposed near the perimeter of said housing member; c. a second plurality of tines extending from said face portion and having a second length which is less than said first length; and d. a third plurality of tines extending from said face portion and having a third length which is less than said second length; and wherein e. said second and third plurality of tines have longitudinal bores therethrough with one end of each bore at the end of its respective tine remote from said face portion and with the other end of each bore communicating with said exhaust opening.
 5. The combination as set forth in claim 4 wherein said second and third plurality of tines are more remote from the perimeter of said housing member than the tines of said first plurality.
 6. The combination as set forth in claim 5 wherein said second and third plurality of tines are arranged in a row with alternate ones of said tines belonging to said second plurality of tines and the intermediate tines belonging to said third plurality of tines.
 7. A tool for cleaning shag type rugs and comprising in combination: a. a generally elongated housing member having a face portion and an exhaust opening adapted to be connected to a vacuum motor; b. a first plurality of tines having a first length and extending from said face portion near the perimeter of said face portion and parallel to each other; c. a second plurality of tines having a second length which is less than said first length and extending from a central portion of said face portion and which are parallel to each other; and d. a third plurality of tines having a third length which is less than said second length and which extend from a central portion of said face portion and which are parallel to each other; and wherein e. said second and third plurality of tines have longitudinal bores therethrough with one end of each bore at the end of its respective tine and with the other end of each bore communicating with said exhaust opening.
 8. The combination as set forth in claim 7 wherein said second and third plurality of tines are arranged in a row with alternate tines being ones of said second plurality of tines and with the intermediate tines being ones of said third plurality of tines.
 9. The combination as set forth in claim 7 wherein the sum of the tines of said second and third pluralities is approximately equal to the number of tines of said first plurality. 